Only Foodservice and Facilities Management Provider to be recognized by Diversity Edge Magazine.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 1, 2008 - Sodexo, a world leader in foodservice and facilities management, was recognized for its leadership in recruiting, retaining, and advancing the careers of diverse professionals by Diversity Edge Magazine. Sodexo ranked #8 out of an impressive list that included many of today’s leading FORTUNE 500 companies. Sodexo acquired the Top 10 distinction by demonstrating consistent strength in providing an environment where people of diverse backgrounds can succeed and advance in today’s workplace.

Sodexo is continuing its commitment to building a diverse workplace and in doing so is leading the industry with a workforce that is a direct reflection of the many communities it serves daily. Of the 20 companies chosen for this elite list, Sodexo was the only company from the food services industry to make this year’s list. Diversity Edge Magazine looked for unique companies that provide a good entry level foundation for professionals who have recently graduated from college or graduate school.

Companies were selected based on their responses to the Diversity Edge Best Companies Survey and input from various university career centers across the country. The five areas that the survey measured were: Diversity Recruiting Policies, Leadership Development Initiatives, Training Programs, Opportunity for Mentorship, and Activeness of Employee Affinity Groups. The survey also considered the company's overall diversity initiatives. "We looked for unique companies that provide a good entry level foundation for professionals who have recently graduated from college or graduate school," said Kizzie Bozeman Brown, editor in chief of Diversity Edge Magazine.

About Sodexo, Inc.
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com) is a leading integrated food and facilities management services company in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.3 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo, Inc. serves more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government and remote sites. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., is a member of Sodexo Group, and funds the Sodexo Foundation (www.helpstophunger.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $9.2 million in grants to fight hunger in America.

About Diversity Edge Magazine
Diversity Edge Magazine Diversity Edge Magazine is a national, quarterly publication of diversity success stories. We are committed to addressing issues in diversity pertaining to career, business and personal finance. We strive to highlight the positive efforts that promote workforce and supplier diversity in Corporate America. Our editorial content is designed to expose corporate professionals to new career opportunities, to increase the visibility of entrepreneurs, and to generally promote the economic advancement and wealth creation of our readers.